Best Dog Supplies for New Puppy Owners: Complete 2026 Checklist

The week before picking up your puppy is a shopping sprint. You need thirty things you’ve never bought before, everyone has opinions, and half the products at the pet store are marketing fluff that your puppy doesn’t need.

This checklist breaks down exactly what to buy, what’s optional, and what to skip - organized by category with budget and premium options for each item.

The Essentials (Day One)

These need to be ready before your puppy walks through the door:

Food and Water

Item	Budget Option	Premium Option	Notes
Puppy food	Purina Pro Plan Puppy ($45/30lb)	Royal Canin Breed-Specific Puppy ($60-75/30lb)	Large breed? Must use large breed formula
Food bowls (2)	Stainless steel ($5-10 each)	Slow feeder bowl ($12-15)	Avoid plastic - retains bacteria
Water bowl	Stainless steel ($5-8)	Elevated stand ($15-25)	Fresh water available at all times

Containment

Item	Budget Option	Premium Option	Notes
Crate	Wire crate with divider ($40-60)	Impact Collapsible Crate ($200+)	Size to adult, use divider now
Exercise pen (x-pen)	Basic wire x-pen ($35-50)	Foldable with door ($50-80)	For safe play when you can’t supervise
Baby gates (2-3)	Pressure-mounted ($20-30 each)	Walk-through gates ($35-50 each)	Block off rooms with hazards

Collar and Leash

Item	Budget Option	Premium Option	Notes
Collar	Adjustable nylon ($8-12)	Blueberry Pet ($10-15)	Buy puppy size; you’ll replace it 2-3x
Leash (6 ft)	Basic nylon ($8-12)	Biothane ($20-30)	Never a retractable for puppies
ID tag	GoTags engraved ($5-8)	Red Dingo with lifetime engrave ($12-18)	Include your phone number, minimum

Cleanup

Item	Budget Option	Premium Option	Notes
Enzyme cleaner	Nature’s Miracle ($8-12)	Rocco & Roxie ($15-18)	Regular cleaners don’t eliminate urine scent
Pee pads	Basic disposable ($15/50 pack)	Washable reusable pad ($15-25)	Use near door to teach location
Poop bags	Basic rolls ($8/300)	Earth Rated ($10/300)	You’ll use hundreds

First Week Additions

Get these during the first few days:

Health and Grooming

Item	Budget	Premium	Notes
Vet visit	$75-150 (exam + vaccines)	-	Schedule within 48 hours of bringing puppy home
Microchip	$25-50 (at vet)	-	Permanent ID, worth every penny
Puppy shampoo	Burt’s Bees Puppy ($8)	Earthbath Puppy ($12)	Never use human shampoo
Nail clippers	Basic guillotine ($6-10)	Dremel nail grinder ($25-35)	Start handling paws immediately
Brush	Slicker brush ($8-12)	Furminator ($25-35)	Brush weekly minimum

Sleep

Item	Budget	Premium	Notes
Crate pad	Towels or fleece blankets ($0)	Vetbed or washable mat ($20-35)	Expect accidents; don’t invest in expensive beds yet
Snuggle toy	Stuffed animal from home ($0)	SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy ($30)	Heartbeat toys reduce first-night crying

Training

Item	Budget	Premium	Notes
Training treats	Zuke’s Mini Naturals ($7/6oz)	Wellness Soft Puppy ($8/3oz)	Small, soft, smelly = best training treat
Treat pouch	Ziplock bag in pocket ($0)	PetSafe Treat Pouch ($10-15)	Hands-free access to treats
Long line (15-30 ft)	Biothane long line ($15-25)	-	For recall training in open areas

Nice to Have (Month One)

Not urgent, but you’ll want these within the first month:

Enrichment

Item	Budget	Premium	Notes
KONG	KONG Puppy ($8-12)	KONG Puppy Goodie Bone ($10)	Stuff with peanut butter and freeze
Puzzle toy	Outward Hound puzzle ($10-15)	West Paw Toppl ($20-25)	Mental stimulation prevents destructive behavior
Chew toys	Nylabone Puppy ($6-8)	Benebone Puppy ($10-12)	Puppies NEED to chew; give them appropriate outlets

Car Safety

Item	Budget	Premium	Notes
Car safety	Seatbelt tether ($10-15)	Crash-tested harness ($30-50)	Never let puppies ride loose in cars

What to Skip

These items are commonly purchased but either unnecessary or counterproductive:

Retractable leashes. They teach puppies that pulling creates more freedom - the opposite of what you want. A fixed 6-foot leash builds better walking habits from day one.

Expensive dog beds. Your puppy will have accidents on the bed, possibly chew it, and outgrow it. Use towels and cheap blankets in the crate until your dog is fully housetrained and past the chewing phase.

Clothing and costumes. Puppies don’t need sweaters unless they’re a short-coated breed in a cold climate. Most dogs are uncomfortable in clothing and will spend their energy trying to remove it.

Grain-free puppy food. Unless your veterinarian specifically recommends it for a diagnosed allergy, stick with grain-inclusive formulas from established brands. The FDA investigated potential links between grain-free diets and heart disease in dogs.

Elevated food bowls. The old theory that elevated bowls prevent bloat has been disproven. Some studies suggest elevated bowls may actually increase bloat risk in large breeds. Use floor-level bowls unless your vet recommends otherwise.

Total Cost Estimates

Category	Budget Path	Premium Path
Food and water supplies	$55-$70	$100-$120
Containment (crate, pen, gates)	$95-$140	$285-$360
Collar, leash, ID	$21-$32	$42-$63
Cleanup supplies	$31-$35	$40-$55
Health/grooming (first vet visit)	$115-$225	$150-$270
Sleep	$0-$10	$50-$65
Training	$7-$25	$18-$40
Enrichment	$24-$35	$40-$50
Car safety	$10-$15	$30-$50
Total	$358-$587	$755-$1,073

The budget path gets you everything your puppy needs. The premium path gets nicer versions of the same things. Your puppy won’t know the difference on most items.

First-Day Timeline

Morning (before pickup): - Set up crate with towel/pad in a quiet corner

Fill water bowl
Puppy-proof one room (pick up small objects, cover cords, remove toxic plants)
Put enzyme cleaner and paper towels within reach

Pickup and drive home: - Bring a crate or carrier for the car (never a lap)

Bring paper towels (car sickness is common)
Keep the car cool and the drive calm

First hour home: - Go directly to the designated potty spot outside

Wait until puppy eliminates, then praise heavily
Let puppy explore one room on leash
Offer water, then food after 30 minutes of settling

First evening: - Feed in or near the crate

Allow calm exploration, frequent potty trips (every 30-60 minutes)
Expect crying at bedtime - a heartbeat toy or ticking clock near the crate helps

For more puppy-specific product guides, see our articles on puppy collar sizing and puppy-safe chew toys.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size crate should I get for a puppy?

Buy the adult size and use a divider panel to reduce the space. The puppy should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down - but not much more. Too much space encourages the puppy to use one end as a bathroom. Remove divider sections as the puppy grows.

How much does the first year with a puppy cost?

Including food, vet care (vaccines, spay/neuter), supplies, and training: $1,500-$3,000 for the first year. The biggest expenses are vet care ($500-$1,000) and food ($400-$700). Costs drop to $500-$1,500/year after the first year.

Should I get pet insurance for a new puppy?

It depends on your financial situation. Pet insurance costs $30-$60/month but can save thousands on emergency surgery or chronic condition treatment. If you couldn’t comfortably handle a $3,000-$5,000 emergency vet bill, insurance provides valuable peace of mind. Enroll early - pre-existing conditions aren’t covered.

When should I start training my puppy?

Immediately. Puppies can learn basic commands (sit, down, name recognition) starting at 8 weeks. Formal obedience classes typically start at 10-16 weeks after initial vaccinations. The critical socialization window closes around 16 weeks - expose your puppy to new people, sounds, surfaces, and positive experiences during this period.